Casting Call for “I Am The MAJORITY” Project

2014 Note: Although this original post is from 2012, we’re always accepting new photos. If you’d like to be a part of The Majority Project, please follow the instructions below!

As scientific study and research continues to prove that “pit bull” dogs are just like any other dog, we’re now facing a different, equally challenging, hurdle: proving that “pit bull” dog owners are just like any other dog owner.

Why is it so important that we make this point? Because the false belief that only criminals and reckless people want “pit bull” dogs leads to restricted adoption policies, breed specific legislation, and other discriminatory policies.

From law makers and shelter policy makers to talk show hosts and strangers in the checkout line, the stereotype is that “good” people don’t live with “pit bull” dogs.

In fact, we know that dogs labeled “pit bull” are one of the most popular dogs in this country, overwhelmingly owned by normal, everyday families who have value in their community.

And we no longer want to be discriminated against because of the actions of small minority of dog owners.

Now we need your help to show the world that “pit bull” dog owners are everyday people and we are the majority. Help us spread the message that responsible, loving “pit bull” dog families are the rule, not the exception.

In the coming months, we’ll be shining a spotlight on the millions of everyday “pit bull” dog families in a variety of ways. Here’s how you can help:

Be sure to write this clearly – use a fat marker – and keep it simple. One or two words will do! The point is to remind others that you make a positive contribution at home or in the world.

Tom and Amarillo

3. Gather up your family dogs, hold up the poster, and have your photo taken. If there are multiple people in your photo – such as other family members – have each individual hold up their own, personalized poster.

Christina and Pugsley

4.Email your best photo to: info@animalfarmfoundation.org

Include the names of everyone in the photo, including your dogs, and your location.

5. Give your dog a treat.

Special Note to All the Pit Bull Awareness Day Event Planners: your upcoming event is a great time to ask a diverse crowd of people and dogs to participate in this perception-shifting campaign! Please consider printing out a stack ofpostersand participating in this photo project. The more the merrier!

But you know half the dogs people call pitbulls aren’t pitbulls. American Bullies aren’t pitbulls they where never bred for anything a pitbull was so why label them as such? You cant just throw something into a catagory labeled “pitbull” because they have features of a pitbull it’s just false and causes confusion.. I love the bully breeds but someone needs to shed some light on the fact that “blue” colored dogs are bullys not pits. I think a lot of people would be able to keep their dogs if the world knew the difference between the American pitbull terrier and American bully, and knew that bullys are bullys and weren’t bred for gameness or dog fighting. They are a companion breed not a working breed like the 3 pitbull breeds.

Hi Mandy, Our goal with this project is to show policymakers that the overwhelming majority of people who own dogs that are labeled “pit bull” (whether or not the labels are correct) are responsible, everyday, regular folks and that we no longer want to be discriminated against because of the actions of a small minority of reckless dog owners. Whether or not the breed labels that people choose to assign are correct, they still carry serious consequences for the dogs and the people who love them. Rather than debating the labels, we’re focusing our efforts on fighting discrimination, which will benefit ALL dogs- no matter what their labels (right or wrong) may be. Here’s more from our website about labeling dogs: http://www.animalfarmfoundation.org/pages/Labels-Language

Actually Mandy, the AmBully is a Pit Bull dog. They are either full bred APBTs or crosses between the APBT and AmStaff (both of which I consider the same thing since the AmStaff stems from APBT lines and was bred for different physical characteristics due to the AKC show ring).

Blood designates what a dog is, not the purpose of it’s breeding. I don’t breed my APBT for fighting or gameness but that doesn’t make her any less APBT. I breed for correct conformation, meeting the written standard and exceptional temperament, just like the original APBTs were bred for.

Keep in mind that the Pit Bull was orignally a Bull dog (a butcher’s dog) and is still used for hunting today. No, the AmBully can not do what it’s predecssors were bred to do because they are bred to be over-large and that will cause all kinds of problems in and of itself. But that doesnt’ make them any less the Pit Bull dogs that they are.

Hi Ginny, Thanks for sending in the photos. As soon as we’re back in the offices on Monday morning, we’ll let you know if we’ve gotten your email! We’ll be using all the photos in a number of projects online and in real life throughout 2013, but we’ll be kicking things off with a fun video shortly. Look for it on our Facebook page, website, and here on the blog in the coming weeks!

Hi Monica, Nope! We’re making a video right now, so if you wanted to be a part of it, submitting photos over the weekend would be great. But we’ll be accepting photos indefinitely for various “majority”-related projects in 2013!

I’m a stay at home grandmother who cares for a 2 year old and my grandpup Champ. I’m unable to print the poster.(wish I could) . I’ve made a facebook page for Champ. Please check out the page and pictures of this beautiful, well trained and loving Pitt. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-of-Champ/106687436098003

This is wonderful! I am a teacher. And I own a deaf ‘pit bull’. When inadvertently “sign” to my students, they think it’s hilarious- “We’re not Rose! We can hear you!” I am going to find out if I can include my students in the poster with Rose… they think she’s awesome.

What an awesome idea! The dog walking group I co-founded in Kansas City is doing a walk for National Pit Bull Awareness Day and we will definitely do a little photo shoot with our pit bull group members (and those without pitties who support our cause) holding these signs! Awesome!